Ron purchased Pinnacle Printers, re-christened it “PrintRoc by Pinnacle Printers, Inc.,” kept the same location AND kept on the old staff!

While a small business, Ron believes in Rochester as a place to live and which to do business!

Ron’s own views on this event are delightfully modest.

“Hey everybody-
I have worked my tail off, all of my life. 2 jobs until I was 43. Now I am 48. Buying my own business has been a chore (especially for a poor man from the Boondox). I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything. It made me what I am today. And Today is when I am inviting you to come to my ribbon cutting ceremony- to symbolize your support and to check out what I do. Printing has been my life now since 1984 when I worked at BOK Industries in LeRoy, NY. I love what I do and I learn more about it everyday. Plus it keeps changing. Stop in and see us. If you cannot make the ribbon cutting, still swing in some day soon- just to say “Hi!”

The formal press release is below:

Pinnacle Printers Re-opens as PRINTROC by Pinnacle Printers

Pinnacle Printers opened its door to business in 1978 and today is rechristened

as PRINTROC. Along with a new name, PRINTROC has a new management

team. From small neighborhood businesses to Fortune 100 companies, the

The Honorable Harry Bronson and Ron Schutt, Sr., cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of PrintRoc!

On hand to cut the ribbon, officially opening the facility, was none other than the Honorable Harry Bronson, New York State Assemblyman for the 131st district. A tireless fighter for small businessmen, the working class, the LGBT community and for human dignity and opportunity, Mr. Bronson had this to say:

“As a neighbor and a South Wedge business owner, I congratulate and thank Ron, Dan and Jesse for their investment and dedication to Rochester. PrintRoc will be a nice addition to this vibrant neighborhood.”

Mr. Bronson and Mr. John White are co-owners of “Equal=Grounds Coffee House,” just down the street from PrintRoc; they provided their excellent coffee for this morning’s event!

Ron, I wish you and your team the best of luck! And I sincerely thank you for not giving up on Rochester!

Here come the grooms, and the brides! DOMA was ruled unconstitutional today!

At this time two years ago, New York State legalized equal marriage.

Today, history was made in Washington DC!

The Defense of Marriages Act was ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court.

The Defense of Marriages Act, referred to as DOMA, was signed in 1996 by ex-president Bill “Horndog” Clinton, a notorious adulterer. The Act recognized marriage as being between heterosexual couples only.

Ol’ Horndog was also responsible for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which did absolutely no good to the gay men and women serving in our military. THAT was overturned last year!

In a five to four vote, the Supreme Court ruled that depriving legally married same sex couples of the federal benefits enjoyed by legally married heterosexual couples was discriminatory and unconstitutional!

In a related case, the Supreme Court effectively shot down California’s “Proposition 8,” which made hitherto legal equal marriage illegal.

Same sex marriages will probably resume in California within thirty days.

Today was a great victory for equality; major hurdles have been overcome.

But it was not as complete as one might have hoped.

While a quarter of the United States ( and the District of Columbia ) recognize equal marriage, many other states have enacted anti-equal marriage legislation. Today’s Supreme Court rulings did NOT make those laws unconstitutional. There will undoubtedly be future lawsuits involving them.

Nor do today’s rulings prevent states where equal marriage is legal from overturning it. Which is why we must be vigilant about which sort of candidates we elect.

But still, the United States now recognizes equal marriage where it is legal. Which is still a lot to crow about.

Usually, I restrict the subject of my blog to local affairs and concerns.

But Rochester has a powerful and active gay community, politically, socially, economically.

Our Empty Closet is the nation’s oldest gay newspaper.

Tim O. Mains was the first openly gay man elected to public office ( Rochester City Council ) in the nation, a position he held for 20 years!

The Honorable Harry Bronson was the first openly gay man to be elected to the Monroe County Legislature, and then the first openly gay man from western New York to be elected to the State Assembly.

The gay community is so large and powerful in the City of Rochester that, during election time, most politicians find it necessary to suck up to it, whether or not their support of equality and human dignity is really sincere or heartfelt.

As I have stated, we have had equal marriage in New York State for two years now. The world didn’t end; life goes on much as it did before.

But now the federal government will have to recognize legal same sex marriage on a par with legal heterosexual marriage!

One of the three "local" panels to be exhibited at Equal=Grounds on Friday, November 30!

Equal=Grounds Coffee House, 750 South Avenue, will be kicking off “AIDS Awareness Weekend” Friday, November 30 from 7 PM to 9 PM!

The featured “guests” will be three panels from the internationally famous Aids Memorial Quilt. The panels have local signifigance; they memorialize the names of local people who have died from this insidious disease.

The story of AIDS is a grim tale; it is NOT a “fairy” tale.

AIDS is short for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,” which is caused by the HIV virus.

In the 1960′s and 1970′s, when gay men and women were marching out of their closets demanding recognition and equality, AIDS reared its ugly head. To many bigoted, ignorant and “righteous” people, AIDS was a sign of the wrath of God, a punishment for wicked, unrepentant homosexuals.

The gay community felt largely ignored by the medical community; after all, it affected only the gay community. You know, those men who fly in over the transom and the women who wear red flannel shirts. No real reason for anyone else to worry.

Millions of gay people died.

Only when increasing numbers of heterosexual men and women were being diagnosed with HIV did the medical community, and the world, begin to panic. By then, AIDS had become a pandemic, and millions more people had died, and are still dying. It ceased to provide material for stand-up comics joking about “the gays” and “the gay plague.”

There is, at present, no cure.

The reason for the Quilt is interesting.

In June of 1987, a small group of strangers gathered in a San Francisco storefront to document the lives they feared history would neglect. Their goal was to create a memorial for those who had died of AIDS, and to thereby help people understand the devastating impact of the disease. This meeting of devoted friends and lovers served as the foundation of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Today the Quilt is a powerful visual reminder of the AIDS pandemic. More than 48,000 individual 3-by-6-foot memorial panels — most commemorating the life of someone who has died of AIDS — have been sewn together by friends, lovers and family members. This is the story of how the Quilt began…

The Quilt was conceived in November of 1985 by long-time San Francisco gay rights activist Cleve Jones. Since the 1978 assassinations of gay San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone, Jones had helped organize the annual candlelight march honoring these men. While planning the 1985 march, he learned that over 1,000 San Franciscans had been lost to AIDS. He asked each of his fellow marchers to write on placards the names of friends and loved ones who had died of AIDS. At the end of the march, Jones and others stood on ladders taping these placards to the walls of the San Francisco Federal Building. The wall of names looked like a patchwork quilt.

Inspired by this sight, Jones and friends made plans for a larger memorial. A little over a year later, he created the first panel for the AIDS Memorial Quilt in memory of his friend Marvin Feldman. In June of 1987, Jones teamed up with Mike Smith and several others to formally organize the NAMES Project Foundation.

Public response to the Quilt was immediate. People in the U.S. cities most affected by AIDS — Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco — sent panels to the San Francisco workshop. Generous donors rapidly supplied sewing machines, equipment and other materials, and many volunteered tirelessly.

The mission of the AIDS Memorial Quilt Archive Project is to preserve the powerful images and stories contained within The Quilt while expanding our AIDS awareness and HIV prevention education efforts.

More information about the Quilt can be found at www.aidsquilt.org . There, you can also see the three panels that will be exhibited at Equal=Grounds: They are 3702, 5242 and 5513.

Almost all of us know someone ( or of someone ) who died of AIDS. Many of us know people who are living with HIV. Which is why Equal=Grounds’ owners the Honorable Harry Bronson ( New York State Assemblyman for the 138th District ) and Mr. John White annually sponsor “AIDS Awareness Weekend.” The addition of the the panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt adds both poignancy and a gritty reality to the event: those are the names of real people there, our neighbors, friends and relatives whose lives were cut short by an as yet incurable disease. A disease that is ravaging the entire world, irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, creed, color, race or class. Finding a cure for it is being hampered, even in this day and age, by ignorance and bigotry.

The defeat of Republican County Executive Maggie Brooks in her race against Congressperson Louise Slaughter for the 25th Congressional seat ( a new experience for Maggie ) was more than just a personal defeat for her.

It was a major defeat for the Monroe County GOP!

The Monroe County GOP spent a great deal of time, effort and money to create a nauseating “cult of personality” around Maggie. Maggie’s invincibility was part of that cult. Her defeat was their defeat!

Lesser Republican candidates, such as Sean Hanna and Peterson Vazquez, if they expected to bask in the aura of Maggie’s invincibility and win victories at the polls through their association with her, were sadly mistaken.

Hanna and Vazquez also embraced the excremental taint of Mittens and Ann’s “New World Order.” As the nation rejected Mittens and Ann, as the county rejected Maggie, the 55th State Senate district rejected Hanna, and the 138th State Assembly District rejected Vazquez.

The Honorable Ted O'Brien defeated Sean Hanna for the 55th State Senate Seat: The proof that nice guys can finish first!

It is even more telling that Hanna had far more funds available to him than did his Democratic opponent, the Honorable Ted O’Brien, but to no avail. Right overcame financial might, and a Republican State Senate seat went over to the Democrats.

The Honorable Harry Bronson, a tireless fighter for equality, for human dignity and the working class, easily won re-election to the State Assembly by sheer hard work. Vasquez was more soundly trounced than any of the Honorable Harry Bronson’s previous Republican opponents.

How could this happen?

Very simply put, large swathes of the 55th State Senate District and the 138th State Assembly District are located in the City of Rochester. The two Republican candidates, both suburbanites, could not relate to the residents of the City of Rochester. Worse still, the Monroe County GOP had long abandoned undertaking any serious political participation within the city. Having lost touch with Rochester, the Monroe County GOP chose to run candidates for those districts that overlapped into the city who fit the suburban image they like to promote.

One might say that it’s a shame the Republicans lost those races. AND it’s a shame the Republicans didn’t choose better candidates.

Part of the problem is that Hanna and Vazquez sought the support of the Conservative Party, in order to get their line on the ballot. The Conservatives don’t cut much ice in Rochester, but are a force to be reckoned with in the suburbs. In return, Hanna and Vazquez had to agree to promote the extremist far right philosophy of the Conservatives, which further alienated them from voters in Rochester.

Can anyone truly dance with the devil, and hope to spin away with their soul intact and untainted?

The answer is “no.”

There are some lessons to be learned here.

The Conservatives, promoting an increasingly archaic and reactionary philosophy, are similar to the ancient Bourbon kings of France, restored to the throne after the fall of Napoleon: they have forgotten nothing, and they have learned nothing.

As for the Monroe County GOP, if they haven’t learned that they eighteenth century has been over for a very long time, they are also unaware that the twenty-first century has long since begun. Anything static cannot survive.

And the Democrats?

They had better do their damnedest in Washington and Albany to turn things around in Rochester and Western New York. And what the voters gave them, they can also take away the next time around ( in two years ).

"Yes, Virginia! There ARE gay Republicans, and they have been shamefully used."

The late great historian Barbara Tuchman, in her book The March of Folly, defines “folly” as: “the pursuit of an action or a goal that is contrary to one’s self-interest.”

Last year, the struggle for equal marriage in New York State reached its climax when it was legalized.

Many gay Republicans worked hard to make equal marriage a reality here. We hoped that, once enacted, the GOP would leave it alone and move onto other things. Like rebuilding the economy, creating jobs, shrinking government and providing tax relief.

Gay Republicans are like everyone else: We work, own homes and businesses, are represented in the professions and pay taxes. We simply wanted equality, and wanted to remove the political football of equal marriage from the political playing field.

But the GOP would simply NOT let it go.

The agenda of the GOP and their Conservative allies is to overturn equality and restore traditional marriage as the ONLY form of legal marriage in the state AND the entire country.

This shows in the campaign speeches, literature and actions of this year’s crop of GOP candidates.

In the city of Rochester, the Monroe County GOP has offered three Republican candidates, all of whom are known enemies of equality.

Joe Robach, running unopposed for the New York State Senate, voted against equality last year. Robach proffered his worn out plan of separate and unequal “civil unions” for the gay community, which had become an anachronism in his own time. Robach also submitted a ridiculous bill to the State Senate for the separation of Western New York from Downstate.

“Way NOT to go, Joe.”

Sean Hanna, running for the newly redrawn 55th district of the State Senate against the Honorable Ted O’Brien, the Democratic contender, also voted against equal marriage in the State Assembly last year. Anti-gay, anti-women, anti-working class, Hanna DID support tax breaks for corporations, while, ten years ago, he supported the highest tax increase in Monroe County’s history! So much for the much vaunted “fiscal conservatism” of the Republican Party.

“Hard-Hearted Hanna.”

Johnny-come-lately Peterson Vazquez is running for the State Assembly’s 138th district seat, currently held by a Democrat, the Honorable Harry Bronson. Vazquez made his opposition to equal marriage and women’s rights quite public on October 20. In Washington Square Park, in front of Old Saint Mary’s Church, Vazquez declared he was opposed to such things both on constitutional and religious grounds.

“And then the sickened rooster crew thrice.”

To give the Democrats their due, State Assemblyman David Gantt also opposed equal marriage. Fortunately, more Democrats were for it than against it. Which is the exact opposite of the Republican Party.

Perhaps Robach, Hanna, Vazquez and Gantt have more in common than they know. Perhaps they were quadruplets, separated at birth.

Paradoxically, three gay men sit on the executive board of the Rochester Republican Committee. They expect all Republicans to support anti-gay Republican candidates to the fullest, from Mittens down to the local candidates. Woe betide the gay Republican who does not!

In short, gay Republicans are expected to get signatures, distribute literature, raise campaign funds and vote for anti-gay Republican candidates who seek to reduce them to second-class status within society. In return, gay Republicans are given dubious promises of an improved economy and tax relief, in exchange for second-class status. That price is way too high. It comes at the cost of one’s humanity, one’s pride, one’s self-esteem.

“Folly: the pursuit of an action or a goal that is contrary to one’s self-interest.”

Some gay Republicans believe that if they work hard for the party and their candidates that they will change the GOP’s attitude towards the LGBT community. This hasn’t worked yet, and will never happen until the current GOP leadership has gone onto its “reward.”

They had better buy asbestos-lined “union suits” in preparation of THAT eventuality!

Other gay Republicans truly believe that they are children of a lesser God, and are willing to be relegated to second-class within both society and the GOP, hoping to become petted tokens by the party leadership. As long as they don’t draw too much attention to themselves, or openly advocate for “gay rights.”

Such examples of masochism are better handled by psychiatrists than by the Monroe County GOP chairman, Bill Reilich, who also voted against equality in the New York State Assembly.

In short, gay Republicans are only useful to the GOP for money and manpower during campaigns. The rest of the time, they are expected to return to their closets until called again. Many have installed revolving doors on their closets for that purpose.

Personally, I can’t stand the smell of mothballs, which is why I re-registered as a Democrat three weeks ago. There is no logical reason for me to support candidates who are openly acting against my best interests.

For gay Republicans, the choice is clear enough: they can support candidates who embrace equality and humanity, or they can do as they are bidden and vote for the anti-gay candidates offered up by the GOP. And pursue folly.

Peterson Vazquez: On October 20 at Washington Square Park, he finally "came out"...as an "Enemy of Equality!"

One year ago, marriage equality was enacted in New York State.

There was much jubilation among the LGBT community, as now loving and committed same-sex couples could now legally marry and be recognized…at least in New York State and that handful of states that have also legalized equal marriage.

Unfortunately, equal marriage is not a done deal. To overturn it in New York State, it would simply require an anti-gay majority ( i.e., the GOP ) to gain control of the State Assembly and the State Senate and put forth a bill to repeal it. And there are plenty of Republicans and quite a few Democrats who would do this.

The State of Maine very briefly had marriage equality on the books; it was repealed by a referendum vote with a majority of 30,000 opposing marriage equality. Mainerds are still working to overturn THAT referendum three years later!

This means that the supporters of equality AND the LGBT community must remain vigilant and seek to re-elect those officials who supported equality. Even in New York State!

Case in point: Peterson Vazquez, Republican candidate for the 138th State Assembly district!

On candidate’s night at the Maplewood Neighborhood Association on October 3, the question about repealing marriage equality in New York State was posed. The Honorable Harry Bronson and the Honorable Joe Morelle, Democratic State Assemblymen for parts of Maplewood and tireless fighters for human dignity and equality both stated that they would NEVER vote for repeal. Republican State Senator Joe Robach refused to answer it, as did Vazquez, who is running against the Honorable Harry Bronson.

The Honorable Harry Bronson: A tireless fighter for equality and human dignity who MUST be returned to the State Assembly for the 138th District!

Vazquez DID treat us to how he grew up in Rochester and fled the city to Henrietta for the “better schools” there. He also stated that he ended up putting his children into private schools. Since Maplewood IS in Rochester and private schools are beyond the price range of most Rochesterians, this went over as well as a lead balloon! There is nothing we like better than being patronized by suburban politicians.

I changed my party affiliation to Democrat the next morning!

On Saturday, October 20, Vazquez finally made a stand on something!

In Washington Square Park, in downtown Rochester ( from which he fled, remember? ), draped in the American Flag, the Constitution and the Sign of the Cross ( common enough costume for most Republicans and Tea Partiers, whether they really believe it or not ), Vazquez came out AGAINST marriage equality! THIS was a religious gathering opposing abortion, and Vazquez certainly geared himself to it. Just like in a scene from “Elmer Gantry!”

One wonders why he did not have the courage of his convictions at Maplewood barely two weeks previously.

If there was ever any doubt for the LGBT community, the supporters of equality AND of human dignity that the Honorable Harry Bronson should be, nay, NEEDS to be, re-elected to office, Vazquez provided it for himself in this video. All that was lacking was Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and Anita Bryant!

And, Mr. Vazquez, were the slaves freed, women given the right to vote and segregation ended in the South accomplished by popular vote? No, they weren’t.

The GOP is no longer the party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Eisenhower.

And the LGBT community had better be vigilant. VERY vigilant! AND get out there and vote!

Every time there’s an election, it seems that political candidates come crawling out of the woodwork. They work hard for about six or seven months, being seen at various venues throughout the constituencies they hope to win, garnering support for their campaigns. T-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons and pens bearing their names are freely dispensed, cheap trinkets to remind us that they are running for something. Well, at least the t-shirts can be useful at a later date…to wash cars and floors with.

In ancient Rome, people were at least given bread and circuses.

Other accessories are spouses and children, reeking of mothballs since they were packed away and hermetically sealed in plastic after their last election campaigns.

In most cases, the various candidates’ nights throughout the area are the first and last times most people will ever see their elected officials until the next election, no matter how much they assure the various groups they speak in front of about the “special bond” they have with them.

Oh, well. It’s still nice to see who they are and what they have to say or how they respond to questions from the voters.

The Honorable Joe Morelle: A supporter of equality!

On Wednesday Night, October 3, the Maplewood Neighborhood Association had its “Candidates’ Night.” It was a low-key affair, because only four candidates showed up: Republican State Senator Joe Robach, the incumbent, who is running unopposed and now represents all of Maplewood; Democratic State Assemblyman the Honorable Joe Morelle, another incumbent, who is also running unopposed; Democratic State Assemblyman the Honorable Harry Bronson, the incumbent; and his Republican opponent, Peterson Vazquez.

The Honorable Harry Bronson: A tireless fighter for equality ( in all areas ) and human dignity!

Neither Maggie Brooks nor Louise Slaughter, slugging it out over a seat in the United States House of Representatives, were in attendance. Perhaps they had better things to do.

Each of the candidates were given five minutes to explain a little bit about themselves. The incumbents began with quick autobiographies, and then moved onto their work in the State Assembly or the State Senate. There was much praise for their bipartisan work in getting the budget passed on time this year, and then onto what they had done ( or plan to do ) for their constituencies.

And then, onto the question and answer session.

Oddly enough, most of that was about Rochester’s dismal school system, rather than about the economic distress Western New York State has been undergoing. These are areas over which these particular elected offices have very little clout, belonging primarily to Rochester’s School Board and, to some minor extent, the City Council. There were questions about returning to neighborhood schools, about the poor performance of the students in the schools, about “special needs” students. The candidates spent much of their time answering these questions; the incumbents from a more experienced standpoint, Vazquez from that of a parent who moved to the suburbs for the so-called “better schools,” only to eventually enroll his children in private schools.

While this is an important issue, a member of the audience reminded everyone of that fact, and a few minutes were dedicated to economic problems in the Rochester area.

There was one question I asked. It had nothing to do with the economy, or the schools or the local infrastructure. It had to do with human dignity. It was asked of each candidate present tonight:

“Last year, the state legalized “equal marriage.” Earlier this year, a Republican State Senator introduced a bill to repeal it. If such a bill were introduced into your respective houses, would you vote to repeal “equal marriage?”

The Honorables Harry Bronson and Joe Morelle, supporters of and fighters for equality, voted to legalize “equal marriage” in the State Assembly last year. They quickly affirmed their continued support for it by stating that they would never vote to repeal it.

Robach: Refused to answer the question about "equal marriage." He later claimed that the question was redundant.

State Senator Robach remained silent and never even attempted to answer the question.

It should be noted that Robach voted against “equal marriage” in ths State Senate last year. Robach has long been a proponent for “civil unions” for same-sex couples, an uncomfortable “half-way house” of separate but unequal. “Civil unions” might have been an acceptable stop gap a decade or so ago, but it is already an anachronism.

Robach later stated that he did not answer the question because it was “redundant.”

But really, what did Robach have to lose by answering yes or no? He’s running unopposed in his district!

Vazquez: Following Robach's lead, never attempted to answer the question about "equal marriage."

Peterson Vazquez also never bothered to answer the question. Perhaps he was merely playing “follow the leader” with Robach, and when Robach never replied, Vazquez also remained silent. Perhaps Vazquez was fearful of losing the suburban Conservative vote if he stated that he would not support repeal, or the support of wealthy Republicans funding his campaign.

Or perhaps we should take the old Latin maxim to heart: qui tacet consentiret ( “silence means consent” ).

If they would have said “yes” or “no,” at least we would have known where they stand on this issue.

And if anyone wishes to be gulled into believing that “equal marriage” is a done deal in New York State, one need only look at the State of Maine. “Equal marriage” was enacted there three years ago, only to be overturned by a referendum. Under the right circumstances ( such as complacency ), it could happen here.

At any rate, Maplewood got to see the candidates running for office who were willing to show up. And of these candidates, there’s only one actual “race” going on, between the Honorable Harry Bronson and Peterson Vazquez!

Take your pick. You can always check out their campaign websites if you need to know more about them, even if they are running unopposed.

Yesterday was “Labor Day,” an official federal holiday celebrating the working men and women of this country. It is they who built this country, in many cases having nothing more to show for it other than dirt under their fingernails, callouses on their hands and sore backs.

It also marked the official end of summer, of tanned bodies, wearing white and seersucker clothing and going back to school ( depending on where one lives in this country ).

Labor Day is also one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the United States because of “back to school” sales. Since retail businesses make up 24% of the job market, the paradox is that they celebrate “Labor Day” by working!

This wasn’t always so. Even as recently as thirty years ago, most businesses closed on “Labor Day” to give their employees a break. This was in the days before advanced “labor saving” devices were invented, before the United States became a 24/7/365 society. Somehow, people and companies managed to get their chores done and still get off on their federal holidays.

Not anymore.

Perhaps it has to do with the day the government chose to honor American labor: the first Monday of September. The rest of the world ( with the exception of Canada ) celebrates International Workers’ Day on May 1. In the 1890′s, when our government designated “Labor Day” as a federal holiday, they were fearful of American labor being somehow associated with Communism and Socialism if the May 1 date was used. Hence the choice of the first Monday in September, right before school starts. It was based on paranoia and fear of the working masses!

For most people who don’t have to work on that day, “Labor Day” has become a time for picnics, trips, parties and shopping. Little or no thought is given to its original intent or purpose.

And then there is the annual “Labor Day Parade.”

As in most of the United States, Rochester had its own “Labor Day” parade yesterday. The weather was near perfect for it: mixed sun and clouds, a tad humid and with a slight breeze. There were groups of labor unions present, a few marching bands and a few expensive cars. What purpose they had, other to show some politicians’ taste for conspicuous consumption at a time the economy is still in the doldrums for most Americans, one can only imagine!

And, of course, the politicians were there. It IS an election year, and most were doing their annual “unbending” act in hopes of securing votes to get re-elected ( or get elected to higher office ), at which point we never see them again until the next election.

Some show up at the “Labor Day” parade to show THEIR support for labor, although what most really want is labor to support them ( with huge campaign contributions from the various labor unions ).

Fortunately, with the exception of a press conference prior to the start of the parade, the spectators lining the streets weren’t subjected to the marching politicians’ usual speeches about the declining “middle class” ( their target group for this election ). Most politicians seem to have forgotten that the majority of Americans are “working class.” Precious few politicians ever address their concerns. Perhaps it’s not “fashionable!”

With two obvious exceptions: Ted O’Brien and Harry Bronson!

The Honorable Ted O’Brien, minority leader in the Monroe County Legislature, has been a tireless promoter of the interests of the working class, which is the backbone of America! This means JOBS! REAL jobs. Jobs that our business leaders seem Hell-bent on exporting abroad, leaving American labor out of work. It is for this reason that Mr. O’Brien is seeking election to the state senate office for the 55th district, being vacated by Senator Alesi.

The Honorable Harry Bronson, state assemblyman for the 138th district ( for which he is seeking re-election ), was unable to be at the parade yesterday; he was a delegate to the Democratic Convention. But Mr. Bronson has long been concerned about the plight of the working class in our disintegrating economy, and “Team Bronson” was out there yesterday, reminding workers that they are NOT forgotten! That they need an advocate for the working class in Albany!

A Labor Day Parade in New York City, 1882: Have times really changed much?

So, another “Labor Day” is over, and the political campaigns are moving into high gear. Politicians will be making all kinds of promises during the next two months, most claiming that they have a “plan” for improving the lives of their constituents. These “plans” will be described in the vaguest of terms, “glittering generalities” that sound so good, but really mean nothing.

And the working class should question these candidates very closely to see if their goals meet our needs.

"Equal=Grounds:" A charming, locally owned coffee house in the South Wedge of Rochester!"

Let’s face it, the South Wedge is one of Rochester’s most vibrant neighborhoods. It seems to be a perfect blend of residences and businesses, packaged up to remind one of a bustling village!

But it wasn’t always that way.

Forty years ago, the South Wedge was downright shabby. The storefronts were deserted and people were fleeing the neighborhood for the “safer” homogenized tract houses offered in the suburbs. It looked as though the South Wedge was destined to become another slum, a knife aimed at the heart of a dying downtown Rochester.

Then, it turned around.

The city had a “homesteading” plan, by which houses were auctioned off by lottery to individuals. The proviso was that the individuals who acquired those properties actually live in them, not merely fix them up for rental purposes. A lot of gay money went into those properties; a lot of gay people and younger traditional couples stayed.

With the neighborhood attracting residents, it behooved businessmen to make use of the local populace to open up shops on South Avenue to cater to them.

Oh sure, the South Wedge has just as many Mom-and-Pop stores, barber shops, beauty parlors, tattoo parlors, bars and restaurants as any other neighborhood in Rochester. What is different there is the attitude. The businessmen have kept their storefronts neat and tidy, most of them exposing their brick walls to provide a pleasing image to residents and visitors alike. There is a small public park on the corner of South Avenue and Alexander Street, and a weekly farmer’s market. Urban, yet with the feel of a village in a neighborhood that has a sense of unity of purpose.

This evolution in the South Wedge has taken place without a “Josanna Plan,” which has been much touted by the politicians who devised it and the liberal media whose editorial staff choose to live outside of the city as a “prototype” for neighborhood development. Which says a great deal about the people in the South Wedge.

One charming business in the South Wedge is “Equal=Grounds Coffee House.” Locally owned, it has been open at 750 South Avenue for six years. “Equal=Grounds” offers comfortable arm chairs, cafe tables, a wide-screen television set and free wi-fi.

And then there’s the wonderful coffee, served in seemingly bottomless mugs with half priced refills!

What’s coffee without a bagel or pastry? “Equal Grounds” has those, too, as well as ice cream, sandwiches and light lunches and dinners.

There are other items for sale there, as well: caps, t-shirts, jackets and mugs, most of which sport the “equal” sign ( = ); other items are an extensive collection of books featuring LGBT themes.

Occasionally, “Equal=Grounds” features art exhibits, poetry readings and other entertainment!

But what is truly impressive is the friendly ambiance and the sense of community that “Equal=Grounds” has engendered in the last six years. It is a great place to meet friends, conduct meetings or just hang out.

It is also a rallying place or focal point for Rochester’s LGBT community, an alternative to going out to a bar to meet people and friends.

The Honorable Harry Bronson, co-owner of "Equal=Grounds:" A tireless advocate for the LGBT Community and human dignity!

One of the co-owners of “Equal=Grounds” is none other than the Honorable Harry Bronson, the first openly gay man to be elected to the Monroe County Legislature. Mr. Bronson is also the first openly gay man from Western New York to be elected to the state assembly ( the 138th district ), for which he is seeking re-election this year! Mr. Bronson has been a tireless advocate for the LGBT community, for equality in ALL aspects of civil life ( including marriage ) and for human dignity. This is apparent at “Equal=Grounds.”

“Equal=Grounds” is open seven days a week: Monday through Friday, 7 AM to midnight and weekends from 10 AM to midnight.

A charming, locally owned coffee house in a village-like part of the city! It’s well worth a visit to the South Wedge.

The City of Rochester has one of the most thriving gay communities in the United States!

“The Empty Closet” is the oldest gay-oriented newspaper in the country!

The LGBT community in Rochester is prominent in the arts, business and the professions.

Even in politics. There have been gay city councilmen serving Rochester since 1985. The Honorable Harry Bronson was the first openly gay man to be elected to the Monroe County Legislature; he was also the first openly gay man from western New York State to be elected to the State Assembly ( a seat for which Harry is currently running for re-election ).

Today is the start of “Pride” ( or “Gay Pride” ) in Rochester. “Pride” will run from today through July 15. It is the twenty-fourth celebration of the unity and diversity that is “Pride” in our fair city. It is the successor of the annual “Gay Picnic,” which stretches back nearly forty years.

With so many closet doors opening up over the years, one day of celebration was simply not enough!

"Pride" of Lions!

“Pride” will begin today with a Gay Alliance event at the JCC at 1200 Edgewood Drive. Tomorrow, the Rainbow Flag will be raised at City Hall ( amid the usual proclamations from politicians; it is an election year, after all ). The rainbow is the symbol of the gay community’s diversity; it is also the sign of a promise from God.

Next weekend, July 14, will be the twenty-fourth annual “Pride Parade,” featuring fabulous floats and some outlandishly clad participants! It is usually a fun time for everyone, spectators and participants alike. There are usually a few hecklers, professing to be “Christians” and behaving in a most unchristian like way. But then, they do have freedom of speech…just like the gay community has. One has to take their statements for what they’re worth.

That will be followed by a dance at the end of the parade route ( behind the Auditorium Theatre ) hosted by none other than Rochester’s own faux femmes fatale Aggy Dune and Mrs. Kasha Davis! ( Mr. Davis finally made an “honest woman” out of Kasha a few weeks ago! )

The conclusion of “Pride” will be next Sunday, July 15, with the annual “Gay Picnic” at Genesee Valley Park!

For the complete listing of events, you might want to contact the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley. Or simply pick up a copy of the “The Empty Closet.”

At any rate, it is summertime, and “Pride” is a good time to kick up your heels.

Like from “La Cage Aux Folles:” “Why not try to see things from a different angle?”

Contributors

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Rich Gardner has been writing about the history, culture and waterways of Upstate New York for years. His articles have appeared in U.S. and Canadian publications, and one book, Learning to Walk. He is an alumnus of Brighton High School and SUNY Geneseo. He operates Upstate Resume & Writing Service in Brighton and recently moved to Corn Hill, where he is already involved in community projects. "I enjoy the 'Aha!' moments of learning new things, conceptual and literal. City living is a great teacher."

Ken Warner grew up in Brockport and first experienced Rochester as a messenger boy for a law firm in Midtown Tower. He recently moved downtown into a loft on the 13th floor of the Temple Building with a view of the Liberty Poll and works in the Powers Building overlooking Rochester’s four corners as Executive Director for UNICON, an organization devoted to bringing economic development to the community. He hopes to use his Rochester Blog to share his observations from these unique views of downtown.